AG Dolls are Lyfe. NYC Day Four!

Welcome to the day that Emmy has been waiting on for like ever... the day we finally went to the American Girl store. And I can't believe how massive and insane it really was. I didn't think we were going to make it out of there. And that Emily would ever even decide on what to get. It was fun and stressful at the same time! Core memory!!

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Lady Liberty. NYC Day Three.

Up early again! This family doesn't sleep in. Not even on vacation guys. Up early, in bed early is how we roll. But this morning we were up for a really good reason. Breakfast at one of Brian and my favorite spots. A new staple we have to hit every single time. So trip number three to Balthazar. 

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No One Mourns the Wicked! NYC Day Two.

We were up early on day two and ready to explore! I actually have a video on Emmy jumping on me in bed talking about going to Central Park. Brian actually ventured out early to grab us coffee and breakfast in bed. This is one of my fav things he does when we travel. He brings me lattes and breakfast while I sleep in. Not as easy with kiddos but I can still lay in bed. Ahhh :) 

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Johnston Girls Take New York! Day One.

I can't believe I haven't written this post yet. Brian keeps telling me I have to prioritize it before I forget everything but I don't know that I could ever forget this lovely little trip! We were actually kind of terrified to take with the kids. I figured it would either be the best trip ever or the very worst. And it was quite honestly, so much fun and I can't wait for the next one. These girls had a blast and Brian and I got to hit everything we wanted to do as well. 

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Fried artichokes

This family LOVES fried artichokes. The Faded Rose has the best ones in town and that dip.. delish! When we made this CHICKEN FRANCESE, we drooled over the artichokes. SO now we just make the fried artichokes part and they are really, really wonderful. Need to figure out my own dippy now! 

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My Craft Room

Want to know what song plays in my head when I see this room OR pictures of this room? Isn't she looovely! Isn't she wonderful? She is. She is all things happiness and I love spending time in this fun room. I HAVE to go back to the very beginning on this one too. Cause it's really gotten very beautiful over the years. And I think taking the time to make it happier really makes me want to spend more time being creative in here. 

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Mexican Green Bean Salad

I don't think it's a secret that we love Mexican food around here. We also love Rick Bayless recipes! This one was a homerun and a fun side that was also kind of unexpected. It was super easy and extra delish! Enjoy!

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Art cart

I'm about two years behind on this one. I did a terrible job of documenting this adorable little Easter gift for the girls.. from two years ago. I had almost more fun putting it together than they have playing with all the things it contains. And the best part is, you can put whatever on it. And when you restock, you can add new and different things! The girls are constantly moving everything around! 

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Stairs

Are you ready for a fun one?! Cause this project was fun and actually pretty quick and the upgrade is out of this world! I've been wanting to do this since we moved in. The movers really beat up our stairs and they are just kind of steep and slick. I could never decide what I wanted. Had decided to hire it out because I was a little overwhelmed and then one day I saw this runner and thought, this is it. Brian gave me a huge confident boost and two seconds later I'm borrowing an air compressor and staple gun and BAM... she's done! 

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Emily’s 6th Birthday Party!

Emmy had the best birthday party to celebrate turning SIX! We actually had it the weekend before her birthday and she had a blast. I never saw her. She was too busy running around with all her buddies and having the very best time. 

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Emmy’s birthday + last day of school

My sweetie turned SIX! Last year...  but still have to document! Her birthday fell on the last day of school, which no one actually stays at school on the last day so I think she had the very best day. I took off, went to both girls promotion ceremonies and then we spent the day together. And I'm going to blog this one in reverse because for some reason I can't get my pictures to load in order :) 

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Memorial Day Weekend in Branson 2025

We had a really fun Memorial Day weekend last year with the Lar family in Branson. They rented this amazing house near Silver Dollar City-- we ate fun meals and did an entire day at the park. The resort we stayed at had this amazing pool also with slides and a lazy river. The girls were in absolute heaven! 

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Camping on the Sylamore

We went camping last summer and Brian told me the girls and I could stay at the house at Calico. Then it was let's all sleep in a tent one night and the house the next. Then somehow we spent two nights in a tent and I just don't know how or why the girls loved it so much but now I fear I have to do this every single year!!!! 

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Pearl Couscous Salad With Shrimp and Feta

This is like summer in bowl. And I hate that Brian doesn't love cucumbers the way I do. I actually used a lot less cucumber on this recipe for that reason. I also didn't have radishes so I skipped those. Think it would be delish with more cucumbers and radish! Save this one for when you want something easy and crave a summer dish! 

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Easter 2025

I always love Easter! And this year we stopped by my sisters house on the way home to snap a few pictures in her yard-- she has so many beautiful flowers and they were all showing out! 

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Spicy Turkey Stir-Fry With Crisp Garlic and Ginger

OH man do I love this meal. I love this meal so much we at least have it once a month. The crispy ginger and garlic really set it over the top. And it's made me love cooking with coconut oil again, I think you can really taste it here. Try this one!!! 

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Girl Party: Easter Edition

This makes me want spring back so bad. This picture is so sweet and I just love this precious little party that Rachel put together. I think this is the second annual little Easter party she's thrown for the girls. I looove the flower theme from this one. 

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Bunco: Allyson’s Favorite Things

This bunco theme was so fun! Allyson started this bunco group a few years ago and then decided to move on all of us! So we chose to throw a surprise bunco party for her before they moved to Hot Springs last summer. I made these cute little invites and sent them to the group + her family without her knowing. I'm actually terrible at keeping these things secret so I'm still shocked I didn't make any missteps. 

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Spring Break 2025

Spring Break 2025 was so much fun! The girls were out all week and I took off some of it to hang out with them and then for us to take a quick little trip. This first picture was sometime during the week when we tried out Problem Child in LR. It was delish! 

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Spring Soccer 2025

Spring soccer season was so much fun this year! Both of the girls improved so much and Kate got super good at scoring goals! Both girls did so well and it's always so much fun to watch them play. 

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Chicken Piccata + Orecchiette

I looove chicken piccata. And I've tried all sorts of recipes that essentially do the same thing. This one was wonderful, as always! I loved the addition of the shallots. I also was out of angel hair pasta so I served it over orecchiette and everyone loved that sub! 

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Chicken and Artichoke Francese

OK, I really hope you listen when I say that you have to make this. It was incredible! And we've made the fried artichokes alone from this recipe a handful of times since. It's so delish! We paired it roasted radishes and the whole thing was *chef's kiss* amazing! 

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February 25 - NWA Trip

Here are the girls in one of their favorite places-- they LOVE Hugo's! And so do we :) We made a trip up last Feburary for Susan, David, and Bridget's birthday celebrations. We did our usual-- hit the Fayetteville square for lunch, dropped Brian at Dickson Street Books, the girls and I go grab coffee and a sweet treat, then we head on up to Rogers! 

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Bike to school day 🚲

The kids always love bike to school day so much! Or walk/scooter. IDK what it is and when. I do not love this day. Brian usually takes the kids and parks at Kroger then walks over. Since we live a little bit from the school.  VERY lucky this past spring, the Cherry's let the kids tag along! Love these sweet pics! 

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Bathroom

I think the best way to appreciate this bathroom is to look back and see what it looked like way back when. Before I took matters into my own hands. Because I hated this bathroom but it's part of the 10-15 year plan. Or if you ask Brian, I don't even think it's on his list. So I had to make it happier. And I did it all myself, knowing we'll redo it at some point. 

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Peanuts

I am SO BEHIND in the blog world. I came here yesterday looking for a recipe and saw that Valentine's was on my homepage which means I'm about a year behind. I sat down today and counted how many blogs I'm behind and it's around 65! All while life that I want to capture is still happening. So I'm here.. with fantastic peanuts. Just in time for peanut month.. in March. 

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